In School for EMT-B and need help

[nicolep]

Hello Everyone!

I am starting EMT courses this August at a local Community College here in Orlando, FL. I have a couple of questions. I finish and get my EMT-B Certification here in December. When that point arrives I will be staying here in Orlando but in a year or two possibly relocation to another state. I am of course not sure where yet my options are open I have lived in Orlando for 25 years and I am ready for a change :-)

I have a point... :-)

I am interested in both working for a fire department and local ambulance agency. I would really love to work for a fire department. Here in Orlando or any other place how is it to do that with an EMT-B certification? Plus, if someone can help on the pay here in Orlando and other places for EMT-B. I have read a couple of forums and the schools tell you a totally different salary range from what I am reading.

I hope I made any sense. I am willing to get my Paramedic certification I just wanted to work for an EMT after school and then apply for paramedic. Get my foot in the door somewhere if you say.

Can someone help me?

Thank you!
Nicole

[Medic1027]

Nicole,

Kudos to you for embarking on an EMS career. I would recommend focusing on the EMT classes for the first few months before you worry to much about the outside employment. Since you can't have one without the other, it does you no good to worry about empoyment and allow your studies to suffer because of the added stress. One point about the fire service.....It will allow you to have a better retirement option and probably better pay. The benefits package offered to needs to be a consideration. Let me know if I can assist you...I have been a medic for over 25 years, so I might be able to offer some insight both from the privte EMS side AND the fire side.

Scott